Football | 2/4/2026 3:00:00 PM

February 4, 2026-Head Coach Garin Higgins announced the addition of 36 student-athletes that will be attending Emporia State and playing football for the Hornets. The class is made up of 25 high school seniors and 11 transfers.

The list includes ten Kansas natives, ten from Texas, nine from Oklahoma, three from Missouri and one each from Illinois, Georgia, Maryland and Ohio as the Hornets took advantage of the Lower 48 Tuition rate that allows on-campus undergraduate students in the continental U.S. to pay the affordable in-state tuition. Emporia State picked up eight defensive linemen, six offensive linemen, five defensive backs, four running backs, three linebackers, three kickers, two receivers, a quarterback, a long snapper, and one listed as athlete. 

The Emporia State coaching staff will host the 2026 Signing Day Bash on Wednesday, February 4 at Champions Landing. Coach Higgins and his staff will go over the 2026 signing class in depth.  Each assistant coach will announce the newest Hornets at their position and will show a brief highlight clip of each recruit and then be available to answer questions.

The Bash, is open to the public and begins at 6:00 p.m. with a social while the review of recruits will begin at around 6:45 p.m.
 
The Hornets have averaged 7.5 wins a year over the past four seasons. They are set to return 13 starters from last season including All-American linebacker Landon Boss, First-Team All-MIAA receiver Malik O'Atis, Second-Team All-MIAA defensive back Tyler Schultze and Third-Team All-MIAA offensive lineman Trevion Mitchell.

Emporia State will open the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29 at Minot State in North Dakota.

EMPORIA STATE HIGH SCHOOL SIGNING CLASS
QUARTERBACKS
Carter Ricke | 6'0 | 188
QB | Tulsa, Okla. | Lincoln Christian HS 
A First Team Daily Oklahoman selection and Second Team Tulsa World honoree, Ricke earned 3A-2 District MVP recognition after going for 3300 yards of total offense and 42 touchdown passes his senior year. Ricke was the starting quarterback for three state championship teams and went 42-0 as a starter. His brother Chase previously played quarterback for the Hornets, and his brother Caden is a current offensive lineman at Emporia State.

RUNNING BACKS
Carter Hajek 5'10 | 205
RB | Seneca, Kan. | Nemaha Central HS
A multi-year All-League First Team selection and three-time Wichita Eagle 2A Offensive Player of the Year, Hajek earned repeated All-State and All-Classes honors from Wichita Eagle, KSHSAA Covered, SIK, and KFBCA. A Kansas All-Time record holder for career touchdowns and second all-time in career rushing yards, Hajek totaled 7,902 rushing yards and 129 touchdowns on 1,106 carries. He added 3,014 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes, along with 167 tackles and 10 interceptions.

Vudrico Roberson 5'9 | 160
RB | Fort Worth, Texas | Haltom HS
Roberson is the program's single-game rushing record holder with 395 rushing yards. He earned District Offensive Player of the Year honors after finishing the year with 2,286 all-purpose yards, including 1,712 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He added 338 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

RECEIVERS
Teaguen Collins 6'2 | 195
WR | Sallisaw, Okla. | Muldrow HS
Collins totaled 2,263 passing yards, 1,750 rushing yards, and 388 receiving yards. In addition to his offensive production, Collins made an impact on the defensive side of the ball with  five interceptions and 228 return yards. Collins is the younger brother of a current Hornet All-MIAA wide receiver Trenden Collins.

S-BACKS
Jordey Pierce 6'2 | 220
S-Back | Arkansas City, Kan. | Arkansas City HS
Pierce is a four-time All-State standout. Competing in the AVCTL II, Pierce earned Second-Team All-League honors and finished in the Top 10 statewide in passing yards, totaling 5,666 yards and 43 touchdowns while adding 939 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Brady Alonzo 6'4 | 265
OL | Chanute, Kan. | Chanute HS
A First Team All-State selection and Wichita Eagle First Team All-State honoree, Alonzo earned First Team All-SEK recognition on both the offensive and defensive line. Alonzo brings size, strength, and positional versatility to the line of scrimmage. 

Josiah Barley 6'3 | 300
OL | Miami, Okla. | Miami HS
Barley earned Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, reflecting his consistency, toughness, and impact in the run game and pass protection. His frame and length project well at the next level as a dependable, physical offensive lineman.

Phillip Fields 6'2 | 275
OL | Blue Springs, Mo. | Blue Springs HS
A Second Team All-Conference and All-District selection, Fields competed at a high level against strong competition. He brings size, strength, and a solid frame to the offensive line, projecting as a dependable offensive lineman with continued development.

Eli Joseph 6'3 | 255
OL | Norman, Okla. | Norman HS
Joseph is a developing offensive lineman with a 6'10" wingspan, he brings reach and leverage to the offensive front. Joseph earned Second Team All-Conference honors.

Tristan Thompson 6'7 | 285
OL | Kansas, Okla. | Kansas HS
Thompson was first team all conference and all district along with being named the offensive lineman of the year in his classification. He is a multi sport athlete and also participated in basketball.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Tyler Hagler 6'0 | 355
DL | Gilmer, Texas | Gilmer HS
A three-time First Team All-District selection, Hagler earned both Defensive Lineman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. He finished his career with 256 total tackles, 31 tackles for loss, and six sacks, while consistently disrupting offenses with 59 quarterback hurries, eight blocked field goals, and an interception. His brother, Dakota Hagler, is an Emporia State alum and All-MIAA defensive lineman.

Caleb Muse 6'0 | 210
DL | Keller, Texas, | The Parish Episcopal School
A two-time All-District performer and Second Team All-State Class 6A selection in 2023, Muse finished his career with 68 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, including a standout junior season with 17 TFLs.

Everson Tomlinson 6'1 | 300
DL | Neosho, Mo. | Neosho HS
A three-time All-District, two-time All-Conference, and All-State selection, Tomlinson has proven to be a reliable and impactful presence along the defensive front. He recorded 54 total tackles and 11 sacks and was a four-time Academic All-State honoree.

Jakobe Williams 6'0 | 300
DL | Red Oak, Texas | Lancaster HS
A three-time All-District Defensive Tackle, Williams totaled 14 tackles for loss and four sacks, while also contributing across multiple phases with an  interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked field goal. He is a member of the National Honor Society.

LINEBACKERS
Cooper McGowan 6'1 | 185
LB | Ellsworth, Kan. | Ellsworth HS
A First Team All-League performer at both tight end and defensive end in 2024 and 2025, McGowan also earned All-State honors and was named among the Small Classes Top 100 Seniors. He totaled 160 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, an interception, and four pass breakups. He added 475 receiving yards and  three touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.

Kasen Parsons 6'1 | 215
LB | Osage City, Kan. | Osage City HS
A three-time All-State selection and Wichita Eagle First Team All-State selection at Linebacker, Parsons also brings extensive offensive experience, setting the school record for most yards in a single season while earning First Team All-League honors three times at quarterback and First Team All-League t punter. He accounted for over 6,000 total offensive yards in his career. He was selected to play in the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl at Welch Stadium.

LeBron Royal 6'1 | 212
LB | Midwest City, Okla. | Carl Albert HS
A four-time state champion, Royal never lost a high school game, consistently contributing to one of Oklahoma's premier programs. He earned District 5A-2 Defensive Player of the Year honors along with first-team All-State recognition from both The Oklahoman and Tulsa World. 

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ty Willits 6'2 | 188
DB | Maize, Kan. | Maize HS
A First Team All-AVCTL Division I selection, Willits was a reliable presence in the secondary. He finished the season with 35 total tackles, two interceptions, and 20 pass breakups. He is also a standout on the basketball court earning all state honors and helped lead Maize to a third place state finish as a junior.

Jordan Clark 5'11 | 175
DB | McAlester, Okla. | McAlester HS
Defensively, Clark produced 120 total tackles (64 solo) with five interceptions and four pass breakups. Offensively, Clark totaled 2,909 rushing yards on 429 carries with 26 touchdowns. He went over 100-yard games 11 times and averaged 69.3 rushing yards per game in his 42 game career. He added 29 receptions for 286 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with 3,217 total yards and 3,259 all-purpose yards. He earned All-District honors at running back and defensive back.

Rylan Crowell 5'11 | 185
DB / ATH | Emporia, Kan. | Emporia HS
Crowell earned All-Conference Second Team honors at running back while being named Honorable Mention All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention for his play in the secondary. 

ATHLETE
Michael Green 6'2 | 177
ATH | Grand Prairie, Texas | Grand Prairie HS
Green totaled 39 receptions for 600 all-purpose yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch, and scored five touchdowns. He is a big-play threat with proven vertical ability, highlighted by an 85-yard longest reception, and consistently creates explosive plays in space. Defensively, Green contributed as a playmaker in the secondary, recording eight solo tackles, five assists, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and seven pass breakups. 

TRANSFERS
RUNNING BACKS
Victor Chionuma 5'10 | 185
RB | Prosper, Texas | Rock Hill HS
Previous School: Missouri Southern
As a true freshman at Missouri Southern, Chionuma finished 12th in the MIAA in rushing, gaining 435 yards with three touchdowns.  He had 88 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in two games against Emporia State. At the high school level, Chionuma was a First Team All-District performer that had 1400 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns for Rock Hill HS.

Terrel Graves 5'11 | 210
RB | Roxana, Ill. | Roxana HS
Previous School: Greenville
Graves ran for 1,084 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning First Team All-Conference honors as a sophomore at Division III Greenville. He had a pair of 200 yard games including a 23 carry, 291 yard effort against Minn.-Morris. A three-time All-Conference selection and team captain in both football and track, Graves also competed at the state finals in the 4x100 relay during high school.

RECEIVERS
Ty Walls 6'0 | 192
WR | Tulsa, Okla. | Jenks HS
Previous School: Southern Illinois
Walls had 99 catches for 2,002 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns during his high school career, earning First Team All-State and First Team All-District honors at Jenks HS. He redshirted at Oklahoma State out of high school and transfers to Emporia State from Southern Illinois where he played in four games as a sophomore last season. 

S-BACKS
Ike Owens 6'2 | 195
S-Back | Tulsa, Okla. |Jenks HS
Previous School: Northeastern Okla A&M
At the collegiate level Owens earned All-SWJCFC honors at tight end for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. He earned national recognition as an ESPN High School Player of the Game and was named Oklahoma Football Player of the Week three times. He was a two-time Oklahoma State Champion in football and a State Champion in baseball. With experience at multiple positions, Owens projects as a versatile S-Back.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Tycen Biering 6'3 | 300
OL | Goddard, Kan. | Goddard HS
Previous School: Hutchinson CC
Biering comes to Emporia State by the way of Hutchinson CC and was a member of their national championship team as a true freshman and participated in two national championship games. He did not redshirt and played both seasons at Hutch. He will enter ESU as a true junior with a redshirt available. 

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Callen Barta 6'1 | 190
DB | Topeka, Kan. | Seaman HS
Previous School: Kansas State
Barta is a transfer from Kansas State with consistent high-level recognition. A two-time All-State selection, Barta earned Defensive Back of the Year honors and was recognized as a Top 22 recruit in the state. He was rated the eighth-best prospect in the state of Kansas for the Class of 2024 by 247Sports and On3. A first team all-state honoree as a senior from the Wichita Eagle, Sports in Kansas and KSHSAA Covered he was named the 2023 Kansas Sports Central Defensive Back of the Year. He totaled 104 tackles and 13 interceptions during his prep career to go along with 128 catches for 1,847 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense. His brother Camden played for the Hornets.

Elias Jones 6'3 | 195
DB | Columbus, Ga. | Pacelli HS
Previous School: Tuskegee
Jones transferred to Emporia State from NCAA Division II Tuskegee. He recorded 40 total tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass breakups as a senior St. Anne Pacelli HS. The Columbus, Ga. native started his collegiate career at Coffeyville CC.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Tyrek Matthews 6'3 | 285
DL | Temple Hills, Md. | Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Previous School: Coffeyville CC
Matthews is a physical interior defensive lineman from Temple Hills, Maryland, who brings college experience and strength to the front seven. During his collegiate season at Coffeyville CC, Matthews recorded 13 tackles with one tackle for loss. A graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt HS he will have three years left at ESU.

Langston Ragland 6'5 | 255
DL | Westerville, Ohio | Westerville Central HS
Previous School: Garden City CC 
Ragland transfers to Emporia State from Garden City CC where he had three tackles and a sack in four games. He started his collegiate career at Akron and appeared in four games for the Zips. 
Ragland recorded 40 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, and four forced fumbles in his career at Westerville Central HS.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Jordan Cartwright 6'3 | 160
 P | McKinney, Texas | Rock Hill HS
 Previous School: UT-Permian Basin
Cartwright transfers to Emporia State from D-II UT Permian Basin where he handled kick off duties for the Falcons. A three time First-Team All-District kicker and Second-Team All-District punter for Round Rock HS, he earned 5-Star Kohls Punter ratings.

Brandon McCary 5'11 | 185
K | Plano, Texas | Plano HS
Previous School: Minot State
McCary is a transfer from Minot State with proven production at the collegiate level. He earned NSIC Special Teams Player of the Year honors after a record-setting season. He broke three Minot State records—most field goals in a single game, most points scored in a single season, and most consecutive PATs made. He finished the season a perfect 28-for-28 on PATs and went 10-for-13 in field goals with a long of 48 yards, which is tied for 3rd-longest in Minot State history. His 10 field goals were second-most in the NSIC, and included a five field-goal performance at Minnesota State Moorhead. That effort broke the all-time Minot State single-game record, and tied the NSIC single-game record. He spent his first two seasons at Southwest Oklahoma State where he handled the field goal and kickoff duties, converting all three field goal attempts with a long of 34 yards, kicking nine extra points, and averaging 53.2 yards per kickoff for 18 kickoffs. McCary was ranked as 4.5 star kicking prospect and in the top 100 kickers nationally at Plano HS.                              

ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Blake Coffman 6'2 | 210 
DL/LS | Topeka, KS | Shawnee Heights HS
Versatile defensive lineman and long snapper with ESU family ties. Tough, dependable contributor. Positional flexibility.

Lincoln Dwiggins  6'0 | 160 
K | Kansas City, Mo. | Liberty HS
 All-Conference, All-District
He was 11-of-13 on FGs and perfect on PATs. Reliable and composed kicker. Academic All-State honoree.

Zylen Peak  6'2 | 245
DL | Montgomery, Texas | Lake Creek HS
 Team Captain, All-District
He recorded 22 TFLs and 4 sacks. High-upside athlete with leadership traits. Strong academic profile.

Kaleb Ross 6'2 | 260 
DL | Red Oak, Texas | Red Oak HS
 All-State, 1st Team All-District
He is a high-motor defensive lineman with 60 tackles and 5 sacks. Physical and relentless. Consistent disruptor.